Rex Ryan expects to be fired

[ThomasTomasz]

One of the most predictable coaching changes that we thought would be made -- even before the season began -- was that Rex Ryan would not be coaching the Jets at the beginning of the 2014 season.

Though owner Woody Johnson mandated that new general manager John Idzik could not fire Ryan in 2013, Idzik likely will be free to make his own decision once this season is finished.

Despite the Jets' surprisingly-solid 6-8 record, this narrative hasn't changed much, and reportedly, Ryan himself isn't blind to the storyline.

As such, Ryan walked into a team meeting Saturday, told his team that he believed he would be fired and asked his squad to come along with him for the final two weeks of the season, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

"I've got two weeks left," Glazer reported Ryan told his team. "You guys ride with me. Roll with me."

Despite playing a rookie quarterback who is second in the league in interceptions and a lack of talent among the team's offensive skills players, Ryan has done a fantastic job with the defense that helped New York upset the Patriots and the Saints this season. Even if Ryan has done the best job of his head coaching career in 2013 -- and I think there's a case to be made for that -- it likely won't matter.

Through it all, though, many of Ryan's players support him.

“I know I'm a good football coach," Ryan said Monday. "I believe in this team, I believe in this organization. I'm determined to bring a winner to this team, there's no question about it. I know and I believe I'm the right guy for it. Again, I'm not the guy making that decision. If I was, it'd be easy.”

If Idzik feels the need to hire his own head coach -- and he deserves the ability to do that -- he'll get rid of Ryan and start over. But that doesn't mean Ryan won't have a job next season. In reality, he likely will be a candidate for another head coaching job as soon as other teams begin firing their own coaches.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...t-rex-ryan-tells-jets-he-thinks-hell-be-fired

 

[JimLeavy59]

He can replace Dom Capers.

 

[jeffx]

I would keep Rex Ryan. Cats like playing for him, which is crucial. Once a coach loses the locker room, he's finished.

 

[wr50l]

I could understand if the Jets wanted to go in another direction but he is a good Head Coach. When you think about it, Ryan is the perfect example of how picking a bust quarterback in the top 10 sets you back for years. He's welcome on the Vikings any day as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BiggaAdams]

Minny also has a bust qb in Ponder. Bad fit. I'd hire Rex only as a dcord.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I could understand if the Jets wanted to go in another direction but he is a good Head Coach. When you think about it, Ryan is the perfect example of how picking a bust quarterback in the top 10 sets you back for years. He's welcome on the Vikings any day as far as I'm concerned.

I agree, but he also stuck by the bust for an absurd amount of time. That levels the playing field a bit, at least in my mind. It honestly depends on the team, for the Redskins I am on the fence. The team seems to have given up on Shanahan, but I am unsure how they would respond to a players coach like Ryan. I could see things going either way.

If the Jets do let Ryan go, he won't be out of a head coaching job for long. He may be able to get one this off-season.

 

[MrBill]

Ryan is a good coach. He just requires a strong GM to keep him from being too loyal to subpar players.

 

[jeffx]

If I'm the GM, I'd give Rex a two-year deal, but he'd have little input in the 2014 draft. Jets must load up on offense (QB, WR, TE, O-line).

 

[Houston]

Send him to The Texans.